This week I stopped in the UPS store to mail a package. In fact, it was a Bible.  A gentlemen who was a part of our church’s campus at the county jail had been recently transferred to a state prison.  When they are “chained out” it usually happens quickly and they are not allowed to take any of their personal belongings, such as a Bible, with them.  He had written me to request a new Bible.  So I grabbed one from the stack we keep for this purpose, wrote a note to go with it and headed to the UPS store.

I walked into the store, pulled a bubble wrap shipping envelope from the shelves, placed the Bible inside, and wrote the sending address on the envelope. I took the package to the counter, placed it on the shipping scale and pulled out my debit card preparing to pay for the envelope and the shipping.  The clerk began to follow the prompts in her computer system asking how fast I wanted to get the package there, checking the weight of it and then reaching over to get the measurements of the envelope.  As she picked it up she asked if it was a book and I sheepishly responded with a simple yes.  After a few more questions she asked one that I found very peculiar. “Is it dangerous?” Hmmmm…..

I knew she was wanting to know if the contents of the package could cause physical harm to anyone who was responsible for transporting it from the UPS store to the state prison. The easy, straightforward and painless answer to that was, “No.” But I so perilously wanted to say, “Yes! It is absolutely dangerous!” I wanted to answer that inside the contents of this book was a self proclamation that it was “sharper than any two edged sword.”  I wished to tell her that in some parts of the world one can be arrested or even murdered for owning this book.  I desired to inform her that the words on the pages of this book are not just for information but for dangerous transformation. I also wanted to retort that this book is open to very reckless misinterpretation.  So, yes, it is very dangerous!

But I simply responded, “No.” As I walked out of the UPS store pondering the danger of the book I just sent away in self-contained, protected, bubble wrapped envelope here’s what I should have said.  Yes, the book is definitely dangerous and this is why:

1. Biblical Ignorance

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (NIV).” Biblical ignorance is not a lack of knowledge but an absence of application. When we start studying the Bible, God begins to show us areas of our lives that need to be changed. We are deceiving ourselves if we think we are growing simply by reading the Bible, listening to a sermon or taking notes on a Bible study. That’s not dangerous – translating what we are reading and hearing into action is dangerous.

2. Biblical Arrogance

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, “…knowledge puffs up but love builds up (ESV).” We’ve all seen people who can quote the Bible, but they’ve never let it change their lives. They use the Bible as a hammer to pound on other people. Without allowing the Bible to our alter our lives we run the risk of just becoming crabby, mean-spirited, critical and judgmental people. Knowledge without application produces pride. It will “puff” you up without a love-based application. It can hurt, not help and that’s dangerous.

Is it dangerous? Hmmm… You decide.

Have you ever stood at a crossroads wondering which path to take? Are you facing a big decision that could change the trajectory of your future? Is your life a puzzle that seems to be missing a piece? Do you wish God would just send you a text message, drop an email or post the answer on your Facebook page telling you exactly what to do?

God wants to speak to you! It may not show up on your phone, in your inbox or as a social media post that you can like. God wants to deliver it directly to you through the Holy Spirit. Here’s what He says: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:12-13

So, how do you hear from the Holy Spirit? I’m glad you asked! Sometimes we make it complicated by it’s actually pretty straightforward:

1. Ask
“…ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:10-13)

My dad has always refused to ask for directions. As I child, I remember times of driving around in the car aimlessly while he would pridefully say, “I’m not lost, just confused”. There is no need to be confused. God wants to speak to you. Just ask. The promise is that if we ask, God will answer.

2. Listen
“…the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” John 10:3-4

In first century culture, shepherds would herd their own sheep during the day but bring them into a communal fold with other sheep at night. At daybreak, the shepherd would stand in the entrance to the pen and call his sheep out by name. The sheep recognized his voice and followed him into the unknown.

God wants to speak to you. Ask. Listen. Be so familiar with His voice you hear which path to take, which decision to make and where the missing piece to the puzzle is.

This past Sunday I was preaching a sermon on anxiety and worry and was completely unaware of the events surrounding the worst mass shooting in United States history. I had not seen any news that morning and had no idea the 29 year old shooter had opened fire inside an Orlando, Florida club where 50 people were killed and 53 more were injured. It was not until later that afternoon I heard reports of the tragedy. God help us!

The news of such violent atrocities comes to us too frequently these days. So much so that we may become numb or dull to these events. Even more so our anxiety and worry increases. We live in apprehension of when and where the next evil event will occur. The words of Paul that I was ironically preaching on Sunday morning are very timely in light of these events. Here’s his inspiration to us:

Pray
Have you prayed about it? Paul encourages us to not be “anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). No matter how frequently such catastrophes occur, our first response should always be to turn to God in prayer. Some stories are just too much for us to fathom; some evil just too great to grasp; some losses beyond all comprehension. But we are summoned to pray in everything. Pray for the victims. Pray for the perpetrator. Pray for peace that guards our hearts and minds.

Think
In the same context (Philippians 4:8), Paul encourages us to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. Unfortunately, that is not usually our first response to these tragedies. Instead, we immediately turn to the news and social media. I am not saying that you can’t find those things on the television or the computer but most often what we find or what we voice is vented frustration and contested opinions. We get caught up in arguments about gun control, immigration policies and race and religion wars. We rush to the computer to air out our anger rather than turning to God and the truth of His Word. We advocate change on Capitol Hill rather than listening to the change God might want to do in us and through us. Have you spent time thinking on God’s truth?

Live
Lastly, Paul encourages us to “practice these things” (Philippians 4:9). Yes, we should grieve the senseless violation of human life. But as Christians we should offer the world the love and hope of Jesus. The answer is not on Capitol Hill. The answer is not in the Supreme Court Building. The answer is not in the White House. The answer is Jesus! As followers of Christ we can not simply shut out the pain and despair but in our sorrow and distress we can bring light and healing through the good news of Jesus. Are you practicing these things?

God help us! Help us find the peace which “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Help us hit our knees in prayer, think on the truth of your Word and live is such a way your light is reflected in our dark world!

What are you afraid of? Some people have a fear of spiders, others dread the dark, for some panic sets in when they find themselves in enclosed spaces and others would rather eat their own toenails off than speak in public. For me, it’s heights.  I will go great lengths to avoid ladders, tall buildings and towers and flyovers on the freeway.  I love roller coasters but every coaster is one in the dark for me because my eyes are closed!  It’s also water. I don’t like being in water I can’t see the bottom of – like lakes.  So put me in a plane over the ocean and I’m done!  It’s also snakes. As far as I am concerned, all snakes should be dead snakes!

Often times I find that same feeling of dread sneaks up on me when I am confronted with an opportunity to move from a place that is comfortable to one that is uncomfortable. Or when I am challenged to move from the known to the unknown or from the secure to the risky.  Often moving from the status quo to a new adventure is accompanied by apprehension, anxiety, and panic.  On those occasions, I have a choice – I can allow fear to paralyze me and stay where I am or I can overcome the fear and move into uncharted waters.

That is exactly what Peter did when he walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus had sent the disciples ahead in a boat and a terrible storm came up on the sea.  Let’s note that they must have already been afraid.  But then Jesus (who they think is a ghost) comes to them walking on the water they were “terrified.”  It’s that same feeling you and I have when confronted with our fears – that same fright and horror.  And Jesus said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Peter clarified that it was Jesus and accepted an invitation to step over the edge of the boat. He made clear that it was God calling him to move from the status quo and he stepped into an experience he had never had before. I am sure Peter had butterflies in his stomach. Certainly he experienced that feeling of apprehension, anxiety and panic.  But when confronted with the choice he did not allow fear to paralyze him.  He moved into uncharted waters and defied one of the most basic laws of nature!  Yes, Peter took his eyes off Jesus. And, yes, he began to sink. That’s often the teaching point of this story.  But let’s not forget – he walked on water!!

What about you? Where is God calling you to move from the known to the unknown? If it’s God, take the risk and step into unchared waters.  It’s in the uncharted waters where we often meet God in new and fresh ways. It’s in the risk where we experience an adventure that we otherwise would miss out on.  It’s out on the uncharted places that we see God defy the laws of nature and do things we never would have even imagined.  It’s always a choice – be paralyzed or walk on water.  You choose!

Summer is here! Well, officially summer does not begin until June 20 at 5:34 CST.  Something about the summer solstice where the earth is tilted in such a way that the sun reaches its highest position in the sky causing the days to be long and the nights to be short.  I do not really understand all that.  Here’s what I know – school is out, we just celebrated Memorial Day weekend and temperatures are rising so for all intents and purposes, summer has arrived!

I look forward to the summer every year. I welcome the sunshine and finding a nice shady spot to sit during the heat of the day.  I relish the cool mornings, days that linger and muggy summer nights.  I crave the sound of an ice cream truck and the aroma of fresh cut grass.  I love thunderstorms that leave the air smelling like a cologne that cannot be replicated.  I enjoy eating cold watermelon and watching a spectacular fireworks display. I love vacations, staycations, and driving with the top down (okay, I don’t have a convertible, but I can pretend!)

Most of all, I like the newness that summer brings. Summer welcomes a change of pace and routine.  My wife and boys are out of school so our daily schedule finds more variation. We are not confined to a set start time to each day and we anticipate staying up late at night. We make random trips to ice cream shops, unique stores, and restaurants we don’t always get to frequent.  We catch movies at odd times.  We experience life in ways that are new from the staleness that tends to creep in during the other seasons of the year.

I challenge you to find the newness this summer can bring. Change up your routine, take advantage of the days that linger and the nights that loiter, take a vacation or be creative with a staycation, find the novel and different in the every day. Do something new! Here are some suggestions:

• Read a book. If you already love to read, find a book from a genre you do not usually read from.
• Read the Bible. If you are already reading the Bible, change it up. Pick a book that you haven’t read in a while or challenge yourself to read through a particular section of the Bible this summer.
• Carve out some quiet time every day to talk to God and listen to what He has to say.
• Take a mini road trip. Stop beside the road and gaze at creation. Find a unique place to eat or shop.
• Get outdoors. Have a picnic. Sit at a park. Dance in the rain.
• Hang out by a fire and make s’mores. Better yet, eat the s’mores (forget that diet)!
• Learn something new. Take up a new hobby or learn a craft you have always wanted to know.
• Join a group. Find a Bible study or community group that will challenge and grow you.
• Find a place to serve. Contact your church, find a place in the community or with your work.
• Start working out. Find a gym. Take walks in the coolness of the morning or late evening every day.
• The list is endless…

Here’s to summer and the new you will find in it!

Ryan

“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT)

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day. It is a federal holiday set aside for remembering those who have served and especially those who have died while serving in our country’s armed forces.  For most it is a day off from work, a day spent with family, a time to catch up on yardwork, and a good excuse for a most excellent barbecue.  For others it is an extended weekend for a mini-vacation as it typically marks the beginning of the summer season.  At any rate, it is a day set aside for remembering.  I encourage you to stop and recall to mind those who have served and give thanks on their behalf.  Remembering gives us a sense of gratitude and appreciation and also helps strengthen our resolve to do our part in serving God and country.

While God didn’t establish Memorial Day, He did establish memorial days. God is big on remembering. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are instructed to remember what He did for them.  In fact, the word “remember” shows up approximately 150 times in the Bible.  When the people are being delivered from the Egyptians they are informed that “this is a day to remember” (Exodus 12:14). 1 Chronicles 16:12 reminds us to “remember his wonderful deeds which he has done, his marvels and the judgments from his mouth.” The Psalms are full of occasions to remember. “He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!” (Psalm 111:4) And of course, we can’t forget the words of Jesus when He instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

On this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to remember. Take some time to ponder God’s faithfulness and His mercies that never cease to be new.  Allow the memories that flood your mind to give you a sense of gratitude and appreciation.  Write them down and allow those memories to strengthen your resolve to honor God and to serve Him more!  Even more so, as the writer of Lamentations encourages let those memories give you a “dare to hope!”

God didn’t establish Memorial Day but He certainly established memorial days. In the midst of a day off from work, a family picnic, or a mini-vacation, take full advantage of this memorial day! Let it be a “day to remember.” Remember His wonderful works. Share in a time of remembrance through Communion. Dare to hope!

Ryan